Homeful Housing: The Security and Dignity of Home In the fall of 2020, Roof Above purchased Hillrock Estates, a 341-unit apartment complex in east Charlotte, with the vision of preserving affordable housing at different income levels. Part of this vision is our Homeful Housing program, providing affordable housing and permanent supportive services for people who have experienced long-term homelessness. Meet …
In May 2020, John Lyles met the man who would help save his life. Facing serious health issues and no longer able to work, Mr. Lyles turned to Tryon Shelter for a safe place to stay. There he met case manager Kileem Slayton and they began to work together on food assistance and housing. During the pandemic, as shelter guests …
“Housing is the answer but not the end of the work.” ~Amy Warner “Nurse Amy” is part of our Roof Above team specializing in the Scattered Site model of permanent supportive housing (PSH) where formerly homeless individuals live in existing apartments in the Charlotte community. Supportive services for these tenants include case management, obtaining benefits, and help with medical needs. …
The numbers are staggering. 500: the number of bag lunches provided EVERY DAY by volunteers for Roof Above shelter programs. 3,500: the number of bag lunches provided EACH WEEK for our friends in dorms, motels, and winter shelter. That’s more lunches than a child carries to school from kindergarten through high school graduation! Wait, there’s more! A typical lunch includes …
At Roof Above we celebrate every time someone moves into housing. This month we also celebrate the 9th anniversary of Moore Place, which first opened its doors nine years ago to provide permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Since January 2012, nearly 300 of Charlotte’s most vulnerable neighbors have been welcomed home to Moore Place. While many have …
At Roof Above, we’ve helped over 1,200 people a day, 365 days a year, for over 30 years. We don’t often get to know what happens after someone moves on, so it is especially wonderful to hear a story like Chris Locklear’s which is, quite frankly, miraculous. Chris grew up in Pembroke, as part of the Lumbee tribe, in what …
Nate Johnson describes himself as an adventurer, an explorer. As a young man he traveled in Europe, visiting Rome, Luxembourg, and points in between. He worked in the plumbing trade for 20 years in New York and Pennsylvania and likes to be independent and take care of his own business. But a failed marriage and the loss of his father, …
“Did you know that…” O’Donald Gaither enjoys a visitor’s company and is good at keeping the conversation going, a skill of his generation before the arrival of social media. He estimates his age at 85 years and he has lived them all in Charlotte. Mr. Gaither grew up in the Brooklyn neighborhood, a vibrant African-American community that was razed for …
For men whose path out of homelessness is employment, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a little bit of luck. According to Roman philosopher Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” In the past, the Tryon Street and Statesville Avenue men’s shelters responded to high demand by increasing capacity, beds close together and mats on the floors. Warm and dry …
When Room In The Inn (RITI) was abruptly suspended in March due to COVID-19, hundreds of people who depended on the program were suddenly unsheltered. A triage plan was enacted to help them determine quick alternatives. Rick Spreitzer volunteered to help counsel individuals and help them “get linked to the next best thing: Do you have a family member or …
After a 40-year battle with addiction, I found myself lost in the wilderness. Throughout my battle I had many half-hearted attempts at recovery, failing of course, which left me with my own feelings, emotions, cocaine and alcohol. I can remember back when the addiction started for me. It was when my wife left me. I was raised thinking marriage was …
“911, do you need Police, Fire or Medic?” “I need an ambulance for a man who says he is having chest pains.” Not a typical Room In The Inn night at Avondale Presbyterian Church. Jim, the overnight host, had noticed that Walter had enjoyed his dinner and conversation but was now moaning in the men’s room. Jim wanted to respect …
What is the backbone of Room In The Inn? It is our host sites. RITI would not exist without the involvement of our host sites which provide a home where our neighbors can feel safe, have a hot meal and most important … be treated as they deserve— as a member of the Charlotte community. This month, Holy Comforter let …
“A blessing is more than a gift to enjoy, it is a challenge to share.” This quote from William Sloane Coffin embodies the supporters of Urban Ministry Center who give their time and resources to help our homeless neighbors – this video shows just a few of those ways.
Urban Ministry Center provides an array of services on a path from the street to home. Our mission is to bring the community together to end homelessness, one life at a time. This overview video gives a glimpse into how we live that mission each day. Produced by Silent Images
As a Room In The Inn volunteer, I worked with Andy and his forever friend, Sandy. The following is Andy’s story as I know it. When I walk down the street, no one will look me directly in the eye. Are they thinking I will ask for money or are they afraid of me? Do they think my clothes look …
Room In The Inn helps people experiencing homelessness by coordinating emergency shelter in partnership with faith organizations during the winter months. .. but this story is not about statistics or the number of homeless individuals that have been helped by this program. It is about the people. Over the next few months, you will hear about Room In The Inn …
When former Charlotte Observer editor and former Urban Ministry Center Board Chair Jennie Buckner first moved to Charlotte in 1968, she made what would seem like an odd choice in today’s world: She rented a room at the Y. For years, YMCAs and YWCAs provided housing solutions for a wide variety of people facing an immediate need. They joined with SROs …
Every Friday, I walk into Moore Place and am greeted by a hug and smile from Von. Chances are that if you’re a regular Moore Place visitor, you’ve been greeted similarly. In addition to feeling welcomed, the time I have reading with Von and our co-book club leader, Meredith, serve as a quiet respite after what always seems to be …
Diversity, community, and storytelling have become common buzzwords as of late. Flying around, circling in, out, and through our conversations. And for good reason. The power that comes through putting these words into action can create lasting change. On March 2nd, at Urban Ministry Center, these three words came to life through the power of art. Local artist Edwin Gil, …
Cleo is a 60-year-old, petite woman, with dark skin, eyes that sparkle and a smile that can’t help but make you do the same. Her vivacious personality, although it gets her into trouble at times, is magnetic. She is a force. When she enters a room it is impossible to not give her your undivided attention. Her voice can bring …
